I do understand your comments regarding "religion" .... I too believe in "pure and undefiled religion".... the problem I have is with impure, overbearing, manipulative, powerless religion. I think a better word, and frankly I think most who would use the word "religion" in a disparaging way, really are using it as a synonym of "pharisaical lifestyle". It's just easier to say religious than it is saying pharasaical... most in our culture would never understand that... hence the word "religion."
 

I tend to agree with Matt. The statement used to be when someone got saved they would say "He got religion" I think religion is a good word if you look at the definition. Does religion define how we are married to God. Too often that definition that its "only" religion is more of a self verification of ones holiness rather than defining what religion actually means. I am reminded of Paul's admonition to the the church when some were critical of some preachers of biblical days. Paul's answer was as long as its Christ its okay, meaning I think he could live with the imperfections as long as they preached Christ. Religion is a good word by definition read it in a dictionary. blessings JRR
 

We have wanted to do away with Religion, and now we have gone too far. There is an absence of reverence in the church today, it's more like a picnic, the music is too loud, people are dressed in shorts etc. The sermons are excellent, but seem almost out of place because of the picnic atmosphere.
 

Religion in respect too man and our attempt at interpretation unfortunately becomes typically a dirty word. a system of beliefs predicated by an adoption of anothers beliefs. coupled with do's and don'ts and the horified aghast look when one fails to adhere to the systems, beliefs, and club rules.

religion in it's truest form would be an embracing of the understanding of who God is...and who he is not. of who we are truly, full force, heirs in all promise, and title bearers of the utmost. easier said than understood.

were anyone of us to truly grasp the full bodied relationship and the true understanding of grace...would we be walking in a relationship that embodied all the aspects of the subject discussed here. would we find no need to call it religion but allow it to just be. there for all the world to see and consider.

i think yes...jesus did not come to establish christianity or too start a new religion...he came to embody the heart of the father to us so that we might see the father.

and he did a remarkable job at that...
 

I think there is a difference between religion and true Christianity. There is a difference between the church-goer whose Bible is covered with dust and who attends church out of pure obligation or guilt. The religious attend the weekly service because of image and reputation. There is no depth of relationship and these are the ones who seek to remain the same. These are the ones who use their membership privileges to keep the building and all that is familiar in the church the same. They do not want progression or spiritual renewal. They have been attending the church since they were young and do not have any idea about the need for Christ in our society or even care, as long as things remain comfortable for them.
That is what I call religion.
 

Focusing in on James' definition of pure religion shows me it's about fruit and God-likeness, which is the optimal result of relationship. I agree we use words too lightly and use a whole lot of words yet say so little. At the same time, I'm all for more action, more fruit, more glorious lifestyle versus small semantic changes producing the other than intended goal of Christ-likeness.
 

I know all kinds of people who have a religion and I was raised in a religion, but when I was born again I began a relationship that many who have religion does not have or understand. I know agnostic people who have a religion but do not believe in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I prefer to stand on my relationship with Jesus rather than to call it a religion. If we are believers in Christ, we are his church no matter what we call it. With everything going on in our world today why are we even concerned about who calls it religion or who calls it relationship? If we have religion with relationship we need to be spending our time praying instead of debating - myself included.
 

When CNN or any other secular media use the term religion you have to look at the context to see if they are referring to a Christian denomination or a Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist or whatever else.
The US Constitution was framed with freedom of religion when almost all who were alive were from one form of Christian denomination or another. As time has moved on with migration the other religions or faiths have become a part of the US as they have in Australia & elsewhere in the Western world. The arguments that Americans United for Separation of Church & State also should be reframed in the light of this reality but aren't.
 

What language does the bible use? I choose to obey the word of God. Every one has to choose for themself. The bible is the only authority for Christians. People dont define God almighty. Read your bible especially James. That is in the new testament. Right after Hebrews. if the bible says there is pure religion then yes, the assumption is there was and still is impure religion. Yes. James talks about that. paul talks about the jewish religion in Galatians 1st chapter. May God in the name of Jesus Christ give you understanding as you journey to please God.
 

Short and sweet - you'd have to have a real relationship with the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and understand what he meant by "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees" to know the difference. The right word isn't "super-mega Christian" - it is Spirit-filled.
 

I really do not care about the word, but I see that it is used by Christians to hurt each other. That is the stupid thing. The case could be made for the religious who have used their words to destroy people by always condemning them to hell, curses, etc, not based on the Bible but on their opinion.
Jesus did not make issue with the Jews because of their religion, but how they used it to benefit themself and destroy others.

But in the end, in this day and age religion has so much negativity attached to it, why want it back. Besides, relationship is a singular vs religion which gets more dogmatic.